50 best road tests of 2011: 21-25

Audi A6 vs rivals   
Brighton Road car park, Sutton, Surrey (April)

Back in April, we asked if executive car buyers could break the habit of a lifetime and pick an Audi ahead of a BMW. Long the domain of BMW’s 5 Series, the smart company car park we visited was exactly the sort of terrain that the entry-level A6 2.0 TDI would have to conquer if it was to claim its position at the top of the class.

We were very impressed by the Audi. While it couldn’t quite match the involving handling of the 520d, it more than made up for that with far superior comfort, a higher-quality cabin and low CO2 emissions. It won our test, and went on to claim Best Executive Car at August’s New Car Awards.

Placing Mercedes’ E220 CDI in third proved a more straightforward decision. For a model that isn’t especially long in the tooth, it felt surprisingly out of touch with its class-leading rivals.

SEAT Alhambra vs S-MAX
Bruntingthorpe, Leics (July)

The challenge in this test was simple – we wanted to find the ultimate people carrier, but one which was also as dynamic and comfortable as any family car.

SEAT’s new Alhambra took on Ford’s S-MAX, and with a string of road test victories behind it, few would have bet against the Ford racking up another win. However, it was the Alhambra which took victory, thanks to its superior practicality.

The Ford was sharper to drive, but in terms of space it couldn’t keep up with the SEAT. Its twin sliding rear doors give it a big advantage in cramped car parks, where getting in and out is easy. It won the day as the better all-rounder.

Skoda Yeti GreenLine II vs rivals 
Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk (March)

The Skoda Yeti is one of the best all-round models on the market today. And if you were in any doubt, our test of the Czech crossover provided all the evidence you need.

Facing two formidable opponents from two different classes, the Yeti’s strength in depth was pushed to the limit as it edged ahead of the VW Golf BlueMotion and practical Ford C-MAX.

Is there anything out there that can stop this compact Skoda in its tracks?

Test top 10s
Fastest 0-60 times of cars tested in 2011

Porsche Cayman R vs Porsche 904
Porsche Centre, Silverstone, Northants (September)

How do you improve on perfection? That’s the question we asked of Porsche when it delivered its new flagship Cayman. To put the company’s commitment to creating a lightweight, motorsport-themed mid-engined coupé to the ultimate test, we drove the new R alongside the Porsche 904, first produced in 1964.

Even in such legendary company, the new machine took our breath away, with the ultimate Cayman delivering even more driving thrills for the committed enthusiast.

Without doubt, both have secured their place in the Porsche hall of fame.

Tester's noes
Ross Pinnock, Road test editor

You only have to look at the range of cars on these pages to appreciate that no two weeks are the same at Auto Express. One week we’ll be testing the latest MPV to hit showrooms, and the next we’ll be putting a new Porsche through its paces. 

Either way, we’re always looking for the same thing; the best car for our readers. The Audi A6 and SEAT Alhambra both caused upsets this year, while the Cayman R faced another Porsche with real pedigree, the famous 904.

When we strapped our figuring gear on to the modern day motor, it registered a blistering 4.7 seconds for the benchmark 0-60mph sprint. That was good enough for a place on our leaderboard of the quickest cars of the year.

Mind you, it still trailed the Mazda MX-5 racer campaigned by senior road tester Owen Mildenhall this year, and the Ferrari 458 Italia and McLaren MP4-12C. In the world of road- legal performance cars, these two set the  benchmark pretty high.

Land Rover Freelander 2WD vs rivals
Kersey, Suffolk (February)

Were we about to meet the best 2x4xfar? It’s not quite the catchy slogan off-road fans have come to associate with Land Rover, but with the firm launching a front-wheel-drive version of its Freelander, purists were questioning the logic behind the new entry-level machine at the start of the year.

Bringing the model’s price down pitched it within range of different rivals, each with a unique take on the crossover sector. Our surprise winner was Kia’s Sportage 3, with excellent value and economy plus head-turning style combining to offer a no-compromise package.

The front-drive Freelander was nearly relegated to third place by BMW’s capable X1, but in the end the Brit-built car’s superior cabin design and higher driving position edged it ahead.

Tester's notes
Otis Clay, Junior photographer

Sometimes you have to suffer for your art – and that’s exactly what happened in February, when we tested the two-wheel-drive Land Rover Freelander for the first time.

I would think this, of course, but if you ask me photographers are the unsung heroes of Auto Express. While our colleagues get to relax in the latest new car’s climate-controlled interior, we endure freezing temperatures, soaking rain and baking sunshine to snap the pictures required.

On this occasion I got more than I bargained for as we parked our trio of cars in a ford. Its ice-cold water soaked me to the bone and made my feet go numb. I learned my lesson, though, and now own a pair of stout boots for winter tests.

If you think the quaint Suffolk village of Kersey looks familiar, here’s why: it doubled as Meerkovo in a recent TV advert for online comparison service Comparethemarket. So it’s the home to Aleksandr Orlov, the most famous Meerkat in the world. Simples.